Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1887-04-08
Blaine Upon jefferson.

Ihe TACT that the Hon. James G. Blaine
made up his mind to make trip to the
Indian Territory for the ostensible pur-
pose of visiting his daughter so close
upon the Southern tour of the Hon. John
Sherman, led many to surmise that, like
the Ohio statesman, the Plumed knight
had also taken his boom along with him.
Sherman made speech at Nashville, in
Democratic Tennessee; and Blaine has
Just made one at St. Louis, the great
stronghold of the unterrifed. Sherman
endeavored to adjust himself to his audi
ence by making liberal concessions in the
direction of Safe sovereignty; yet Blaine
has gone very much further, and, laying
all present political considerations aside,
paid glowing tribute to the memory
and craftsmanship OF Thomas Jefferson.
Sherman's speech, delivered to a pre-ar-
ranged mass meeting, was maniiesly a
cunning effort to keep his Presidential
boom along and win favor smong Demo
Gratis by his growing liberality; but Mr..
Blaine's speech, made to the merchants OF
St. Louis, creates a doubt as to whether
he has not abandoned his boom entirely
and become convert to the great school
of Democracy. He has certainly never
been so liberal before as to cencede to a
Democratic administration the greatest
conou uvst and the wisest and most ener-
getic craftsmanship ever recorded in his
.rory.
But whatever may have been The motive
or the inspiration of such liherality, Mr.,
Blaine has given utterance to an unques-
toned truth and has done 1t in his char
acteristic forcible and polished manner.
He spoke as follows:
ut was 10 give this Western country
accrss to The open oceans of the world
that the NJ ssissippi was desired as an
American river, and the people Of 81.
Louis do we'll to jealousiy guard that
great outlet to the waters of The world.
But. gentlemen. with all the congrAtuls-
tions which feel 1t in my heart to extend
you, with all the compliments which your
immense growth calls from every lip,
fee that have one reprosch against st
Louis Sensation. | feel that | have
one reproach against this great trans Mis-
sissippi Republic. A little over eighty
years ago il belonged to a foreign Power.
and 10y the uarrowes' possible chance it
was kept from falling into the hands ot
England; but the vatchful care, the great
-. IL str..
grasp of Thomas Jefferson standing be-
tween the embarrass nent Of France and
the aggressive energy ot Crest Britain
plucked the whole territory of Lnuisians
from the ambition of both, aud made ii
American throughout all lis borders
[cheer,:l and hat vast domain for which
Jefferson gave Sl5.000,000 is now repre-
sented in seven grea' and prosperous
States and three large Territories. which
in the course OF time viii add four or i've
States, possibly, to the American Uoion
Never was conquest So great, so exten'
sive. acquired by peaceful Methods never
was so great conquest made by war that
a conquering power was able u hold
Then, ct me say, that my reprosch 10 1t.
Louis-my reprosch To every inbabitant
nf the territory of Louisiana. is that on
its entire surface, which represents q third
part of the United States, there is not =
statue raised to The honor oi Thomas JEFF
ferscn. loud cheers ST. Louis is the
Capital, the emporium, and will be for
all time, Of thai which was the Territory
of Louisiana. ! will he forgiven, | am
sure, for reminding you that gratitude in
the great man who has gone. gratitude 10
that great man who, in the annals OF those
who founded the Republic. should stand
next to Washington-I vi he forgiven,
| am sure, when say that the duty ui 50.
Louis, the duty OF the merchants Of s..
Louis, is To erect within your beautiful
city a statue of him who more than any
other man created this Empire Loud
cheers.
Gentlemen, thank you very sincerely
for ysur cordial reception. Mr.. President.
am profoundly indebted for your words
of courtesy. l am here simply as your
guest, aud am impressed so 10y it that |
shall not commit the offrnse OF trespsssing
upon your patience, but with my cordial
wishes for your increased and ever-in-
creasing prosperity bid you good morn
ing"